Achilles Heel

Distance: 4.4 mi.
Time: 37:03
Pace: 8:37

Today I set off to Beatty Park again to run on the trails. I slowly wound through the woods exploring sections that I had avoided during the previous sojourn. About two miles in, I suddenly came down with some nasty pain in my troublesome right achilles. I had never had it this bad before; in fact, it usually doesn't bother me much at all during the run and only flares up afterward. I stopped and walked awhile but I was in the middle of the woods. I eventually was able to run home after loosening the shoe a good bit, but the pain was tough later on at work. It was the kind of sharpness that makes you feel dizzy - not good.

Beatty Trail Run

Distance: 6.03 mi.
Time: 53:50.
Pace: 8:56.

I have enjoyed my recent experiences in Beatty Park. Since today would be an easy day, I decided to explore the trails. This would prove to be a pretty nostalgic afternoon, as I have fond memories of this place from back in the day. It's just that these trails are awfully technical, which can make running difficult.

I had forgotten just how technical the trails were, but I hadn't forgotten where to go. Surprisingly, I never got lost. I meandered around in the woods, circling the park and the lake until it spit me out back onto the road, right near the entrance. My Garmin put forth a valiant effort trying to keep up, but it recorded some pretty wacky splits. Here's the map. You can set it to 'satellite' view and zoom in. Have fun.

Beatty Tempo

Distance: 6.3 mi.

Warmup: 1.84 mi.
Workout: 3 mi. tempo.
Cooldown: 1.46 mi.

Today found me back at Beatty for the second workout of the week, a short tempo run. I felt bloated and dehydrated, and it was a little hot. After a short cooldown I took off around the park roads, looping around fields and past picnic tables here and there. I dealt with some sharp turns and some unexpected inclines, but this type of terrain suits me during workouts because I think it prepares me for race courses better than running on a track would.

19:13.14 - 6:25 avg. 6:20.2, 6:19.3, 6:33.6.

After a short warmup and a quick start, I wasn't surprised to find myself bonking mile three. I debated hitting 'start' on the watch and throwing in a fourth mile in an attempt to save this thing, but I was pressed for time. I just did what I always do and blocked out the bad thoughts. The odd terrain and the sharp turns on my course today made it extremely difficult to keep the tempo, but I mean that in a good way. Train hard, race easy. I'll be back, Beatty Park. I'll be back.

Beatty Park Hill Work

Distance: 8.18 mi.

Warmup: 2.65 mi.
Workout: 8*1/4-mi w/hill w/1-min rest.
Cooldown: 2.79 mi.

My temporary home is right behind Beatty Park, near Weddington, and I decided to head on over there today for some speed work. No use complaining about the awful development out here when I have gracious parkland at my disposal.

I used to run and play basketball at Beatty pretty regularly when I was in high school and college, but this was probably the first time I had been there in about eight years. It's much bigger than I remembered, and fully constructed.

I simply cruised around the park roads until I found a serviceable hill for some quarter-mile repeats. I measured a route that would go back down the gravel road by the lake, then take a sharp right up the asphalt hill. Eight hilly quarters with one-minute rest would be the order of business.

1:28.5 (0.1 mi.), 1:23.4 (.07), 1:25.5 (.12), 1:26.5 (.08), 1:30.4 (.12), 1:30.6 (.09), 1:29.8 (.09), 1:25.6 (.07).

I started off with a bit too much excitement, and that was reflected in the later splits. I think my slowing down had more to do with a lack of mental toughness than any physical failures; it's simply been awhile since I pushed myself at any distance, but especially a short distance. I closed with one of my better repeats and I think these times are pretty fast considering the hill, the turns, and the terrain. I'm pretty happy with it.